Chemical application line

ABSTRACT

A chemical application line is provided having a core chemical application carrier to dispense a desired chemical into a target environment over a period of time. The chemical application line includes a degradable film or paper covering the carrier to provide protection from the chemical when handling. The chemical application line also includes a degradable rope surrounding the carrier to provide strength and durability to the line.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to chemical dispensing and, moreparticularly, to a device for selectively dispensing a chemical agentinto a targeted environment.

BACKGROUND

Dispensing of a chemical agent slowly over a period of time is useful inmany industries, particularly in the agriculture, railroad and roadwaymaintenance industries. Conventional application of fertilizers,pesticides and herbicides is time consuming and requires repeatedapplication. Typically, application of these chemical agents is timesensitive for the chemical agent to be effective. Additionally,environmental factors such as rain may wash away the chemical requiringanother application within a specified period of time for the chemicalto be effective.

Various slow dispensing devices have been developed to release smallamounts of fertilizer, pesticides or herbicides over an extended periodof time. Some of these devices include biodegradable materialsimpregnated with the chemical to be dispensed. As the biodegradablematerial decomposes, the chemical is released. Other devices havedissolved the desired chemical in an elastomeric material at a supersaturated concentration causing the chemical to bloom to the surface ofthe elastomer and be dispensed into the surrounding environment.

Problems associated with such slow dispensing devices include leachingof chemicals and the danger of exposure to the user, fragile carriersystems whereby the carrier material is susceptible to breakage duringhandling and installation, or conversely, the carrier material is notbiodegradable and requires removal and disposal after a period of time.

SUMMARY

The present invention includes a biodegradable carrier material wrappedin a biodegradable paper, film or fabric to protect the user fromexposure to the chemical in the carrier material, and a biodegradable,braided twine or rope surrounding the carrier material and paper toprovide strength and ease of handling to the system. One or more carriermaterials may be included each separately wrapped by the paper orwrapped together and surrounded by the rope.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the chemical application line of thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional end view of an embodiment of the chemicalapplication line of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of various uses of the chemical application lineof FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a placement of the chemical applicationline around the foundation of a house.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a placement of the chemical applicationline around a memorial stone.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a placement of the chemical applicationline along a highway.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a placement of the chemical application linealong an intersection and sidewalk.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a placement of the chemical applicationline along a fence.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of a placement of the chemical application linealong a railroad track.

FIG. 10 is an elevation and plan view of a placement of the chemicalapplication line in a citrus grove.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a placement of the chemical applicationline on a fruit tree branch.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring initially to FIGS. 1 and 2, a chemical application line of thepresent invention is generally indicated by numeral 20. Chemicalapplication line 20 includes core chemical carrier 22, a paper 24wrapping the core chemical carrier 22 and a braided rope 26 surroundingthe paper 24 and core chemical carrier 22.

Two or more core chemical carriers 22 may be included in the chemicalapplication line 20. As shown in FIG. 2, four core chemical carriers 22are included. Core chemical carriers 22 may include a number ofdifferent chemical depending on the specific application. For example,the core application carrier 22 may include fertilizers, pesticides,herbicides, insect attractants, animal repellants or an exothermicchemical heater.

Core chemical carrier 22 may include various compostable, biodegradableor degradable binding materials to contain and release the chemical at adesired rate and time. For example, the binding materials may includepotato starch, corn starch, tapioca starch or sugar cane fiberindividually or mixed in various combinations to achieve a desireddecomposition rate according to the application and rate at which thechemical is to be discharged. These materials may decompose within 30 to180 days or longer depending on the binding material and the environmentof the application. A corn starch-based binding material typicallydecomposes faster than a potato or tapioca starch binding material, forexample. For a six-month application of a pesticide, three core carriers22 may be included in the chemical application line. The bindingmaterial of the first core carrier may be made of a corn starch with adecomposition time of 30 days. The second binding material may be madeof a combination of corn starch and potato starch with a decompositiontime of 90 days. The third binding material may be made of a potato ortapioca starch with a decomposition time of 180 days. In this manner,the pesticide may be released over a six-month period to providecontinuous application of the desired pesticide or fertilizer for thedesired time.

In order for the pesticide to achieve a continuous release, the firstbinder and pesticide mixture 30 may be homogeneous so that as the binderinitially begins to break down, the pesticide is released into theenvironment. Second core carrier 32 may have an outer layer 34 of bindermaterial only and an inner layer 36 of a binder and pesticide mixture.The outer layer 34 may be formulated to decompose within 30-45 days.When the inner layer 36 is reached, the pesticide begins to be releasedas the inner layer 36 breaks down. Because the inner layer 36 decomposesat a slower rate than the first binder, for example, a higherconcentration of the pesticide may be combined with the inner layerbinder 36 so that the release of pesticide is generally constant overthe life of the second core carrier 32. The third core carrier 38 mayinclude an outer layer 40 that decomposes within approximately 90 dayswith an inner layer 42 mixed with the pesticide that also decomposeswithin 90 days.

The paper 24 wrapping the core chemical carrier 22 protects the userfrom exposure to the chemical contained within the core chemical carrier22. The paper 24 may be a cellulose paper, a fabric, film or otherbiodegradable coating or wrapping. For example, core chemical carrier 22may be sprayed or dipped in a starch-based liquid coating to provide aprotective layer. The coating 24 may readily decompose or dissolve whenexposed to moisture and thereby activate the core chemical carrier 22.Alternatively, the coating 24 may be of varying thicknesses and thustime to decompose for each of the core chemical carriers 22 to provide adelayed release of the chemicals.

The braided rope 26 provides strength to the system and protects thecore chemical carriers 22. The thickness and composition of the rope 26may be tailored to the environment and the method of application. Therope 26 may be made of natural fibers such as hemp or may be made fromsugar cane fibers, starches or other biodegradable materials. Selectionof the type of rope 26 may be made based on the application time periodof the chemical.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the chemical application line 20 may beapplied along a driveway 50, a sidewalk 52, the foundation 54 of a house56, around a tree 58, along a fence 60, and along a street 62. For theapplications along the driveway 50, sidewalk 52, fence 60 and street 62,the chemical application line 20 may include a fast-acting herbicide,such as a vegetation killer, which may be released for a period of oneor more years. The chemical application line 20 around the foundation 54of house 56 may include a vegetation killer, a pesticide and a rodentrepellant. The chemical application line 20 around the tree 58 mayinclude a fertilizer for flowers or other plants around the tree 58 anda rodent repellant to discourage rabbits and other animals from eatingthe flowers or other plants.

Referring to FIG. 5, the chemical application line 20 may be appliedaround a memorial stone 70 in a cemetery to keep weeds from growingaround the stone 70 and reduce the time necessary for mowing byeliminating the need to trim.

Referring to FIG. 6, the chemical application line 20 may be appliedalong the top 80 and bottom 82 of a fence line 84, and along a highway86. At the top 80 of fence 84 the chemical application line 20 mayinclude natural repellants to deter nuisance wildlife from entering aroadway, such as deer. Placed along interstates and highways at highrisk areas for deer crossings, this deterrent may reduce costlyaccidents and save the lives of both humans and wildlife. Furtherplacing the chemical application line 20 along the highway including avegetation killer improves visibility and reduces the time and cost ofroad maintenance. Additionally, a pesticide may also be included in thechemical application line 20 along the shoulder of the highway 86 toreduce or eliminate damage from fire ants and other pests that buildnests along the edge of roads causing the road to weaken and crumble.

Referring to FIGS. 7-10, the chemical application line 20 may be used tofill and treat cracks along walks 90, walls 92, curbs 94, medians 96,parking lots 98 and railroad tracks 100, keeping these areas free fromweeds. Additionally, medians containing vegetation may be continuallyfertilized by the release of a fertilizer from the chemical applicationline 20.

Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, the chemical application line 20 may beused in citrus groves 110 to help keep the trees warm during coldweather occurrences. The chemical application line may encapsulate heatpackets consisting of iron powder, water, salt, activated charcoal andvermiculate. When the line 20 is stretched, the wrapping (not shown) istorn or broken to allow the compound to be exposed to air triggering anexothermic reaction to warm the citrus grove 110. The exothermicreaction may last for 6-12 hours. Multiple chemical application lines 20may be arranged to provide longer term protection from freezing weather.

Chemical application line 20 containing insect attractants may be placedin fruit trees 112 to attract bees or other pollinating insects toenhance the yield of the fruit trees 112.

It is to be understood that while certain forms of this invention havebeen illustrated and described, it is not limited thereto, except in sofar as such limitations are included in the following claims andallowable equivalents thereof.

1. A chemical application line comprising: an elongated, flexible corechemical carrier including a combination of an application chemical anda degradable binding material, a protective degradable film coveringsaid elongated, flexible core chemical carrier, and a degradable ropesurrounding said protective degradable film, whereas said protectivedegradable film readily degrades when exposed to moisture, whereas saiddegradable rope degrades over a period of time, and whereas saidelongated, flexible core chemical carrier degrades over a period of timeto dispense said application chemical into a target surroundingenvironment.
 2. The device as claimed in claim 1 whereas saidapplication chemical is selected from a group consisting of fertilizers,pesticides, herbicide, insect attractants, animal repellants andexothermic chemical compounds.
 3. The device as claimed in claim 1whereas said elongated, flexible core chemical carrier includes two ormore application chemicals selected from a group consisting offertilizers, pesticides, herbicide, insect attractants, animalrepellants and exothermic chemical compounds.
 4. The device as claimedin claim 1 further comprising two or more elongated, flexible corechemical carriers.
 5. The device as claimed in claim 4 whereas said twoor more elongated, flexible core chemical carriers degrade over the sameperiod of time.
 6. The device as claimed in claim 4 whereas said two ormore elongated, flexible core chemical carriers degrade over thedifferent periods of time.
 7. A chemical application line comprising: anelongated, flexible core chemical carrier including a combination offirst and second application chemicals and a degradable bindingmaterial, a protective degradable film covering said elongated, flexiblecore chemical carrier, and a degradable rope surrounding said protectivedegradable film, whereas said protective degradable film readilydegrades when exposed to moisture, whereas said degradable rope degradesover a period of time, and whereas said elongated, flexible corechemical carrier degrades over a period of time to dispense said firstand second application chemicals into a target surrounding environment.8. The device as claimed in claim 7 whereas said first and secondapplication chemicals are selected from a group consisting offertilizers, pesticides, herbicide, insect attractants, animalrepellants and exothermic chemical compounds.
 9. The device as claimedin claim 7 whereas said elongated, flexible core chemical carrierincludes an outer layer of said first application chemical surroundingan inner layer of said second application chemical.
 10. The device asclaimed in claim 7 further comprising two or more elongated, flexiblecore chemical carriers.
 11. The device as claimed in claim 10 whereassaid two or more elongated, flexible core chemical carriers degrade overthe same period of time.
 12. The device as claimed in claim 10 whereassaid two or more elongated, flexible core chemical carriers degrade overthe different periods of time.
 13. A chemical application linecomprising: a first and second elongated, flexible core chemicalcarriers each including a combination of an application chemical and adegradable binding material, a protective degradable film covering eachof said elongated, flexible core chemical carriers, and a degradablerope surrounding said first and second elongated, flexible core chemicalcarriers, whereas said protective degradable film readily degrades whenexposed to moisture, whereas said degradable rope degrades over a periodof time, and whereas each of said elongated, flexible core chemicalcarriers degrade over a period of time to dispense said applicationchemical into a target surrounding environment.
 14. The device asclaimed in claim 13 whereas said application chemical is selected from agroup consisting of fertilizers, pesticides, herbicide, insectattractants, animal repellants and exothermic chemical compounds. 15.The device as claimed in claim 13 whereas said application chemical ofsaid first elongated, flexible core chemical carrier is different thansaid application chemical of said second elongated, flexible corechemical carrier.
 16. The device as claimed in claim 13 whereas saidfirst and second elongated, flexible core chemical carriers degrade overthe same period of time.
 17. The device as claimed in claim 13 whereassaid first and second elongated, flexible core chemical carriers degradeover the different periods of time.